Landlord obligations
Your landlord’s repairing obligations
The legal obligation of your landlord will depend on the terms of your tenancy agreement. However, Section 9A, 10 and 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (“LTA 1985”) imposes statutory minimum obligations on your landlord which your landlord cannot avoid to ensure your home remains structurally safe, free from hazards, and housing conditions are repaired within a reasonable period of time after the landlord has been notified.
We can help you claim compensation if you have complained to your council or housing association landlord about any of the following types of damage and your landlord has failed to repair the property:
- Damp or mould on walls, ceilings skirting boards, flooring or ceiling
- Water damage from leaks from the roof, doors, windows, radiators, bathroom or kitchen fittings or pipework
- Defective or leaking roof, guttering downpipes or drains
- Defective or rotten windows and doors
- Defective bathroom fittings
- Defective electrical wiring, sockets or other fixtures such as extractor fans
- Defective heating systems and radiators
- Defective gas and water pipe work
- Mice, rats or other pests
- Any other damage to your property no matter how minor
What are the risks associated with housing disrepair?
Living in substandard or dangerous conditions caused by disrepair can result in your personal belongings becoming damaged by mould or dampness, and can also cause injuries, illnesses and in some circumstances even death.
Housing disrepair risks typically include:
- Damage to belongings caused by escapes or ingress of water;
- Increased heating bills incurred as a result of draughty windows, humidity related issues, doors or cracks/ holes in the roof or walls;
- Coughs, colds, sickness or respiratory problems caused by ingress of water, mould and/or dampness;
- Injuries caused by dangerous or poorly maintained brickwork, joinery, plumbing and electrical installations;
- Illness or fatalities caused by an inadequately serviced central heating boiler or other gas appliances causing carbon monoxide to escape;
- Fire and electrocution risk caused by poorly maintained electrical wiring or electrical installations for which your landlord is liable.
Use our calculator for examples on how
much compensation you may be entitled to
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